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Ask questions about writing > How to get to the point?

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message 1: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Hi! I'm having trouble at the moment because I know where I want my story to go next but I don't know how to fill up space until then?
So there's going to be a meeting between several of the key characters, but there has to be some time between the meeting, what so I do in that time? How do I keep it flowing?

Thank you so much. I would be ever so grateful for your help. X


message 2: by Kimi (new)

Kimi | 11 comments Write something unpredictable. This happened to me and what i did was to kill a secondary character so there's plenty to talk about :)
I hope this was helpful and good luck :)


message 3: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Well, I did that in the other book but I don't think it will work on this one because the next thing that's supposed to be happening is an invasion/attack thing, but the audience (and characters) know that it's going to happen.
What do I do in the few weeks before the invasion? How do I keep the audience interested without skipping forward three weeks?


message 4: by Kimi (new)

Kimi | 11 comments Okay so since they know there's going to be an invasion you write about some of them freaking out and panicking, and others getting ready and training to fight, gathering weapons… etc if you have a romance maybe you could write a cute scene (promising they would keep each other safe). What do you think?


message 5: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Oh, yeah! That's very sweet, I love it, if I write it would you mind if I maybe sent it to you to check out? I'd appreciate it so much!


message 6: by Kimi (last edited Jan 04, 2014 03:19PM) (new)

Kimi | 11 comments I'd love to :)


message 7: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson You're wicked. Thanks for the help! Do you have any reading you want me to check out? If you do, I'll love to:)


message 8: by Kimi (last edited Jan 04, 2014 03:27PM) (new)

Kimi | 11 comments Haha no problem :) i'm writing a story about a dystopian world where witches and werewolves are enemies so one day the witches created a magical wall around their lands to keep all the werewolves out and the story takes off when a werewolf finds a way to get through the wall and falls in love with our main character who's a witch :)
I'm still in the first draft so it's kind of crappy but as soon as it's good enough i'll send you some chapters to check :)


message 9: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson That sounds amazing, mine's sort of similar except minus the supernatural aspect. So it's like forbidden love sort of thing? Wicked! Do you mind me asking how old you are? (Just curios, you can tell me to go away if you don't feel happy answering:))


message 10: by Kimi (new)

Kimi | 11 comments Haha you're funny. I'm 20 years old :) how old are you ?


message 11: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson I'm 17.:)


message 12: by Kimi (new)

Kimi | 11 comments Nice to meet you Amy :)


message 13: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson You too! I'm really happy for the advise.


message 14: by Kimi (new)

Kimi | 11 comments If you need any other advice about writing you can inbox me anytime. Now i should probably go to sleep it's late here. Good night ^^


message 15: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) Good advice Kimi! I was about to say the same thing ;)
Can you tell me a little more about your story in the three weeks leading up to the meeting? Like what are the important details that you don't want to skip over?


message 16: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Sure Ali!:) Well; the two protagonist have just been told there's going to be an attack in about three weeks - or so they assume. I know exactly how I want the attack to go like, right down to every last second. But until then I don't know how to fill space, I've already done some training earlier on in the story so I didn't want to jus repeat that.
But I'd like to keep the reader interested in the story, without skipping over three weeks of time. :)


message 17: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson There aren't any specific details, but it would be out of character and stop the flow of the story if I just jumped ahead, if that makes sense?:)


message 18: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) Hmmm... I understand your problem.
The two protagonists are love interests, right?


message 19: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) Oops I just read Kimi's posts and realized she suggested something similar to what I was about to say. I second all her suggestions... that would be a perfect time to develop their relationship if you feel like it's lacking.


message 20: by Alice (last edited Jan 04, 2014 05:11PM) (new)

Alice (alice20) There are actually lots of things you could do to the plot, like introduce a new character.

Also, you know how in movies sometimes they kind of show like a sped up version of what happens over a period of time (ex: Jaden Smith in The Karate Kid training for a martial arts tournament)?
You could maybe work that into the plot. Explain the developments that happen over the three weeks. How is the civilization reacting to the threat? What are they doing to try to stop it? What are the main characters doing to prepare for it? That kind of stuff.


message 21: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Hmm; I like those ideas. Maybe even try to introduce a character that I've wanted to for a while!:D Thank you so much!
This advice area is amazing, I feel like you guys really care which is so nice, thanks.
If I can ever return the favour, please let me know.

They are love interests. It's dual/split narrative story, but they're currently already at a really good place.
It's so tricky! Because the boy is angry with the girl, but that's the point at the moment - it'll all make sense at one point later in the plot.
My plan is that I will do a, sort of, time difference with short chapters, maybe show some more of two side-characters that I want more of anyway. Then introduce the new character briefly.
Then I can go into the attack.


message 22: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) Yup good plan! (Just out of curiosity, is this story the one you shared a while ago on Young Adult Roleplay?)


message 23: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson I think it is, yeah. With Evelynn and Aidan? It's like the sequel to that, I've finished that 'book' now, and this one is the second one. - I'm finding it much more challenging to write than the first.


message 24: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson I just checked, it is the same story.:)


message 25: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) It's awesome that you're building up the same story/worldbuilding premise... that's something I personally have trouble with. Good luck!


message 26: by Amy (new)

Amy Thomson Thanks, good luck too. If you ever want me to read anything or help with anything, I'd be happy to, just ask:)


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